Illuminating apparatus



Oct. 13, 1931. G. H. cUsI-IING ILLUMINATING APPARATUS Filed June 15,1929 gnu@ what lPatented ct. 13, 1931 PATENT oFFlcE GEORGE H. CUSHING,0F WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

IILUMINATQING APPARATUS Application led June 15,

This application is a continuation in art of application Serial No.752,214, filed ovember 25, 1924.

This/invention relates in general to illumination and more particular]has reference to household lamps employlng the principle of secondaryreflection, or indirect illumination, for spreading light emanating froma source, over an area to be illuminated.

A major object of the present invention is to provide an illuminatingstructure in which direct rays emanating from a source of light areshielded so that the light source can never be directly observed.

Another object of this invention is to provide an illuminating devicewhich utilizes all, or substantially all, of the light emanating fromthe light source, and one that is adapted to spread the light so as toevenly distribute it over an area to be illuminated.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a table or readinglamp which so controls the light that light ordinarily permitted to bewasted is intercepted and directed to the location to be illuminated.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a lamp, the lightfrom which simulates daylight, and has characteristics making itparticularly desirable for use in examining textile materials and formatching colors. v

A still further object of this inventionA is to lprovide a compact lamp,which is strong and sturdy in construction, which is formed of easilyobtainable parts, requiring no adjustments, and which are readilyaccessible for cleaning and inspection.

' With these and other objects in view, which may be incident to myimprovements, the invention consists in the parts and combinations to behereinafter set forth and claimed, with the understanding that the 1929.Serial No. 371,258.

hold lighting, and particularly to lamp structures such as table lampsand similar devices.

In carrying out my invention an illuminating structure is providedhaving a base in which is incorporated a light source. A rimaryreflector is positioned about the 'llght source in such a manner as toredirect rays of light emanating from the source upwardly. The base isprovided with a super-structure adapted to support a secondary reflectorin a definite position relative to the primary reiiector, and above thebase. This secondary reflector is so constructed as to redirect thelight. impinging thereon to a definite area about the base of the lamp.

In order to make my invention more clearly understood, I have shown inthe accompanying drawings means for carrying the same into practicalei'ect, without limiting the improvements in theirA useful applicationsto the particular constructions, which, for the purpose of explanation,have been made the subject of illustration.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a household lamp constructed inaccordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view of the lamp depicted in Figure 1taken on line 2-2 thereof and showing the construction and arrangementof the primary and secondary reiectors.

Figure 3 is an `enlarged sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Figure 2showing the plated construction of the reflecting surfaces.

Figure 4 is a detailed view showing a modified bracket construction.

Figure 5 is a partial plan view of the refleeting surface of thesecondary reflector associated with the lamp forming the subject matterof the invention.

Referring to the drawings, in which similar reference charactersindicate similar arts throughout the several views of the diawings,there is shown in Fi ure 1 a household lamp having a pedestal-li e basel, which is in the form of a hollow member 2 shaped as desired. Base 1is provided with a foot portion 3, in which is incorporated a block 4,which serves to strengthen the foot portion lll and retainsthe same inits initial shape. lf desired, the block 11- may be constructed ofmaterial of relatively high density, in which instance it will beolicult to turn the lamp over.

rll`he block lmay be rovided with a central opening 5, and a ra ialpassageway 6, the latter re istering with an opening in the foot 3 ofthe amp, through which a suitable cord 7 passes. A. bushing 8 ma beinsert/ed 1n the passageway to insure a ignment of the duct 6 and theopening in the foot 3.v A pad 9, constructed of felt or any othersuitable material, is attached to the bottom of the base structure toprevent the structure from marring finished surfaces on which it may beplaced.. y A

Ill`he upper end of the hollow body 2 is spun or shaped in any suitablemanner to provide a shoulder 10 and a Hangs 11, which serve to supportother structure. A. primary reector 12, preferably ofthe parabolic type,is mounted within the hollow base 2. 'While .this redector is describedas parabolic,- ll wish it to be clearly understood that it may be of aform other than truly parabolic. llfor.

instance, this reflecting surface may be similar to that generated bygyrating a parabola with 'its axis arranged at an desired angle, or it"may be of any other suitable form. lln any event the focal length may beof any prea determined value. rlFhe particular shape of the reflector 12will, of course, depend on the manner in which the light is to beredected therefrom. rlhis redector is rovided with 'l a peripheral Hangs13 ada te to cooperate receives the base of an electric light bulb 15,

and a plug 16 connected with the current supply cable 7. Light emanatingfrom the lament in bulb 15 will impinge on the surface of the reector12, and will be directed in a direction depending upon the particularshape of the reflector.

A band 17 is fitted on the shoulder 10 and has attached thereto aplurality of supporting arms, or brackets 18. 'llhese brackets support asuperstructure with which is associated a secondary redector, 19. 'lheends of the arms, or brackets, 18 are received between the reflector 19and the flange formed by turning in the edge 21 of the cover 20. A splitresilient ring 27 is fitted between the reflector 22 and the arms 21 sothat all parts are held in an assembled relation. llf desired, however,the brackets 18 may be associated with the superstructure, as shown inFigure 4, that is, by shaping the brackets 18 to receive the covermember 20 and the reflector.Y carried thereby. rlhis secondary re-Hector has a surface similar to that generated by revolving a curvecorresponding to that of .a semi-cubic parabola of the general for mulaof gy2=003,about its au airis. 'llhe par ticular curvature of thereflector, of course, depends upon the light distribution to beeffect/ed.

While upon a casual observation, the reldecting surface of reidector 19appears smooth, it is in reality formed of a multiplicity of segregatedflat sections arranged in stepped relation. This arrangementcomprises aseries of flat planes blended at their intersections, each flat assuminga different angular relation to the true horizontal, but so pitched thatthe light projected by no two such Hats will fall upon the same point.llt has been found that this construction of the secondary reflectorproduces far better results than are obtained by constructing a eectorhaving an actually continuous surace.

l reector of the general shape above described is fitted into a covermember 20, the edge 21 of which is spun or otherwise shaped to retainthe reector 19 in position. Cover member 20 may be provided with a knob22 or other structure, by means of which the lamp may be moved, andwhich serves to ornament the structure.

rlhe arms 18 may be secured to the cover 20 in any desired manner, andthe band 17 and the reflector 12 may be fixed to the -base 2 by means ofa ring member 423, which may be secured to the base 2.

'llhe reflectors 12 and 20 may be formed of a plated metal, or of metalon which is plated a plurality of other metals. ll have found thatreflecting surfaces which are plated first with gold and then withsilver are especially desirable. Figure 3 shows a section of one of thereflectors; the base metal of which the reflector is constructed isindicated by refer ence numeral 24;. Plated on the base metal is a layerof gold 25, and superimposed on the layer of gold -is a layer of silver26. lt has been found that the reflection characteristics glass, orother suitable transparent material which is backed by light reflectingsubstances such as used in preparing ordinary mirrors.

The concept of the present invention may be embodied in various types'oflamps, such as table lamps, desk lamps, counter lamps, floor lamps,ceiling lamps and lamps of various other types adapted to be used forall purposeso Lamps constructed in accordance with lill lli

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the present invention are particularly desir-l able as reading lamps,since the light is soft approaching that of natural daylight, and underno circumstances can a person in the vicinity of the lamp observe anyglare, such as could be seen by directly viewing the light source.

It will be appreciated that the structure shown inthe drawings is moreor less diagrammatic, and that the precise details of construction ofthe essential portions of the lamp will be determined by the particularuse for which the lamp is to be employed.

While I have shown and described the preferred embodiment of myinvention, I wish it to be understood that I do not confine myself tothe precise details of construction herein set forth, by way ofillustration, as it is apparent that many changes and variations may bemade therein by those skilled in the art, without departing from thespirit of the invention or exceeding the scope of the appended claim.

I claim:

A household lamp comprising a hollow base member, a foot portiontherefor, a deep parabolic primary reflector positioned within the basemember, the mouth of said reflector being supported upon the upper endof said base member, a light source positioned at the apex ofsaidprimary reflector, a plurality of arms extending upwardly from the upperend of the base member, an annular opaque parabolic secondary reflectorhaving a reflecting surface formed of a plurality of segregated fla-tsand an opaque cover member for said secondary reflector both supportedby said arms, said secondary reflector being so positioned with respectto the primary reflector as to intercept an'd redirect all of the lightreflected thereby and also all of the unrelected light emanating fromsaid light source.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

GEORGE H. CUSI-IING.

